Joseph: Gaining confidence and becoming self-reliant

For National Apprenticeship Week 2024, we spoke to Joseph who has been working as an apprentice at Furzey Gardens tea rooms for 5 months to find out about his experience.

1. Why did you want to do an apprenticeship?

To gain more experience in an active workplace and to improve my confidence away from home whilst also earning some money to be able to do things I love in my own time, and be self-reliant.

2. What steps did you take to get here?

I went through Totton College, did a specific course to help with job seeking. My job coach assisted me in finding Minstead Trust and Furzey Gardens. I thought it looked like a fantastic opportunity and place to work so I then got in contact with Chris, I had a successful interview at the tearooms and have been working here for 5 months now.

3. What do you enjoy the most about your apprenticeship?

To be able to meet and work with a wonderful team that have helped train me to make coffees and learn more about hospitality.

4. Are there any challenges?

I struggle with reading which makes some of the tasks tricky, particularly being on the till, but through repetition and help from the team, I have managed to gain a lot of confidence in working on the till and other jobs.

5. What do you hope to achieve after your apprenticeship?

I want to be able to use the skills I have learned at Minstead Trust to be able to move on to another job, seek new opportunities and be able to try a new experience.

Seb Vigneron , Cafe’s and Catering Manager at Minstead Trust said,

‘Joseph has worked with us in the tearooms since September and is a much loved and valued member of the team, he is an incredibly fast learner and always enthusiastic about trying out new tasks.

‘His customer service skills are wonderful and he has already received heaps of praise from our customers who love his coffees!’